Soni Razdan talks about her identity and sharing screen space with her daughter Alia Bhatt

MUMBAI: Filmmakers were not as willing to experiment as they do today, says veteran actress Soni Razdan who feels she got “stuck” somewhere as she was as “different” as being a “grain in rice”.

Soni, who will soon be seen sharing screen space with her talented daughter Alia Bhatt in “Raazi”, says though she is eager to do more work, she does not get offers often.

“Once Alia became a successful actress, people started thinking that I am only travelling around the world with her. In my young days, people failed to slot me anywhere as an actress.

“When I started, though I worked in some of the good films, in those days, the difference between the commercial cinema and art-house cinema was pretty distinct. The industry was ruled by beautiful actresses like Hema Malini and talents like Smita Patil among others. The fact is– I neither look as glamorous as a commercial heroine did back then nor like a conventional village girl of an art-house film.

“People were not ready to experiment as they do it today. So, I got stuck somewhere.”

Born to a German woman and a Kashmiri man, Soni grew up in Mumbai. She says she has culturally deep roots in India.

“I am very much of an Indian by heart. My mother is a German who was brought up in the UK. So, there is so much cross-cultural exposure I had as a child. But Mumbai is my city. India is my country, and it fascinates me all the time to discover something new,” she said.

The actress has been a part of films like “36 Chowringhee Lane”, “Mandi”, “Trikaal”, “Monsoon Wedding”, “Page 3” and “Patiala House” to name a few.

In the forthcoming thriller spy drama “Raazi”, releasing on Friday, Soni will essay reel mother to her real-life daughter Alia.

Describing it as a nice and emotional experience, she said: “I am very proud to be associated with the film because it is a very good story that the world should experience.